Perfect for a weekend getaway. Weather can be a bummer if you go during the wrong time of the year but it’s a very nice place regardless.

Potential Great Stops if Driving up from NY:

White Manna | Hackensack NJ – one of my favorite burger places out there right now. They have ‘sliders’ but they’re really great. Double Cheeseburger for like $3. Reminds me a bit of Shake Shack but better.

Walters Hot dogs | New York – Since 1913. This place is a gem. I don’t like mustard but the mustard here is actually very good, not too tart. Also, the potato puffs were strange, I don’t think I’d get those again.

Grace Farms | Connecticut – Really cool farmspace in CT. Loved the architecture and community feel to it. Nicely designed and there is even an open basketball gym there!

Lobster Landing | Connecticut – Talk about hole in the wall. This place is basically a tent next to the ocean. Small portion for the amount you pay. $17 for my lobster roll but it was really simple and fresh, slightly citrus on a glorified hot dog bun, charred on the tops. Enjoyed it while sitting along the water.

Gilette State Castle | Connecticut – Cool stuff if you’re into history. It’s basically just an old stone castle with a big view of the water below. Great stop but slightly out of the way (probably a 30 minute detour). Near this is also a historic fairy which has been taking people around since the turn of the century. Thought that was cool to see too.

NEWPORT:

Mansions: The Breakers. Of course, it’s a beautiful big mansion right along the water but is it worth the $25 to see it? In my opinion, no. I walked through it in about 15 minutes and although there were some areas of beauty that I found inspiration from, it was mostly just a bunch of big rooms. The other mansions, I imagine were very similar so I decided to not see any others.

Cliff Walk: I thought this was a great concept but I got a bit bored towards the end. Also, after the Marble House, there really isn’t a whole lot more to see. I think it would save a lot of time to just walk from the Breakers to the Marble House and back. It’s a beautiful walk but I was definitely turned off by the municipal gates everywhere. At least it’s free.

Mission: Really tasty burger, I enjoyed the herbs in there instead of the usual lettuce, and the sauce inside was really great too. The fries were also really good. Thick cut steak fries made perfectly.

Anthony’s Seafood in Middletown: The soup here is really amazing and priced so well. I had a bowl of the Portuguese Fish Soup and a juice for $6. Amazing!

Champlins: I went here just to grab a snack so I can’t say if the lobster rolls, etc are good. I got the clear clam chowder (which is apparently rhode island style), and I didn’t really enjoy it as much as I usually enjoy New England clam chow. However! The clam fried balls are really good. I would dip them into the broth and it was amazing. 1/2 dozen for $6 is pretty good because these are big too (they’re basically clam hush puppies).

Thames Street: Cute street with a lot of stuff, Would have liked to spend a bit more time here but the weather was not very good.

International Tennis HOF: So with Bank of America, they offer free museum admission to certain places in the USA. This is one of them. Awesome, otherwise it would be $25, and that would not have been worth it. It is a cool museum though, especially if you’re into tennis (I am minimally a fan). Cool relics, very historic. Would have loved to see the “court tennis” courts but they were closed. Still a cool experience.

Extra: Providence is home to one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had (And I live in NY). This is about 40-45 minutes driving from Newport. The wait here is ridiculous but you can maybe cut your wait time slightly by trying to snag a bar seat (2 bars, 1 upstairs, 1 downstairs). Note, there is also a parking lot specifically for Al Forno. So I only was able to have the margherita pizza but I would love to go back and try other things. The dirty steak looked delicious, the apple tart looked amazing but it takes 45 minutes for them to make. The pizza though. was amazing.

Anthony’s Cookies | Mission
“Paul and Colin keep raving about this place. Maybe we should go here.” –Kimberly MarSamovar | Mission
“I went on date here once. It was awkward, but the tea was good.” –Kimberly Mar

InstagramMr. Holmes | Mission
“People who like take photos of neon signs will love this place! I haven’t been here yet, so we can go. I am curious if whatever it is they sell here is good.” – Kimberly Mar

Schwartz’s Deli – A Montréal institution, famous for it’s artery clogging smoked meat sandwiches. I still think Kats’z is the best but this one was good as well. The turkey sandwich was normal and the steak tasted like a family bbq. Good!

Fairmont Bagel – bagels are so much thinner and lighter than NY. Enjoyed it, very simple and super cheap.

Patati Patata

Old port area – great for strolls and scenery

Stores:

cahier d’exercise – women’s clothing

a table – table ware

ssence – women’s clothing

Coffee:

olive and gourmando – bakery/coffee/lunch place

The Atwater market (actually a market) fun to poke around and go into some of the specialty spice stores/gourmand stores and great maple syrup!

Pizza: Piece Pizza was really good, though not your typical deep dish. Great ingredients and collab with Girl & the Goat. Home made beer too. Gino’s East: Really good and comparable to Giordanos (still my favorite). too much to eat for one person though. Lou Malnati’s was another great pizza spot. I made the mistake of going to the to-go place though so I’ll need to retry.

Italian Sandos: Al’s – Great sandwich although it’s a chain. Not my favorite but still enjoyed it. Johnnie’s Beef – man for $5 that is an amazing sandwich. Definitely the best (though it’s about an hour bus ride out of the city).

Kuma’s Corner: Death metal burger spot. Burgers were big and good but don’t think it’s necessary to go here more than once.

Crisp: Korean chicken sandwich spot. I thought it was pretty good so it was worth the trek to go here.

Au Chavel: Must go early if you plan to get a spot to sit for food. I had the bologna sandwich which was enormous and delish. Famous for it’s burgers so will have to go back for that or just get it in NY.

Sweet Mandy B’s: This place was alright. Don’t really remember a whole lot about it but don’t think I’d go back.

Mindy’s Hot Coco: The iced hot coco was pretty great. Love going through that area and finding spots like this. Would love to try the brunch here one day.

Chicago Skydeck: pricey for what you actually get here. Great views yes, but there are better things to see good views from.

The Bean: Obviously the biggest tourist thing you can do in Chi. Heavy crowds but right next to the Art Institute of Chicago museum which is great. Also close to the sports club which includes a great view.

Goose Island Brewpubs: If you’re a beer drinker, it’s fun to go. Worth stopping in and getting a real Goose Island as ownership was kept when selling the company.

Local Option Beer: Really enjoyed this spot. Great beer selection with knowledgeable staff.

Lawrence’s Shrimp on Canal: Headed all the way out to chinatown to get some shrimp, they were big and good but pretty normal to me. We also tried the frog legs which were not my cup of tea.

Wildberry: I love this breakfast place, though there are huge lines. French toast and all were amazing.